Chapte 6
Beloved Child of the Spirits Arc
Night Adventure
“Ruje?”
‘The Fire Child and the little brother slipped out of their room. I’ll follow them.’
“I’ll come too.”
‘Pick us up in the morning.’
After that, I used my magic to put the children to sleep, and the adults were frantically making preparations for tomorrow’s departure.
We don’t need much preparation since we’re already traveling, but the Fire Child does. Not just for the journey itself—there are also things they’ll want to send with him. From the kitchen, I can still hear the sounds of cooking, probably food that will keep for a while.
In the middle of all that, the little brother snuck into the Fire Child’s room, and together they slipped out. The whole mansion was in chaos, so they managed to leave when no servants were around. I’d only cast the shallowest sleep spell, and it backfired. At five years old, it’s unlikely he could leave the estate entirely—they’ll probably just hide somewhere.
I searched for the butler’s location and found him still packing with the older brother, despite the late hour.
I scratched at the door, and the butler opened it.
‘The Fire Child and the little brother slipped out, so I thought I should let you know.’
“Where did they go?”
‘Wio knows where I am. Come pick us up in the morning.’
The little brother climbed out the window into the garden and went into the work shed at the far end. I had to hurry—if they hurt themselves somehow, it’d be trouble. Giving the briefest explanation, I ran out and entered the shed, where I found them huddled together in the shadows.
“It’s Uncle’s fox. This is a secret place, so go away.”
‘Whine…’
I pressed close against the two, wrapping them in warmth. Even in autumn, the night air is chilly. When I licked their hands, they cuddled me between them, using me as a source of warmth.
“So warm.”
“If we stay here, then we don’t have to go to the church.”
Saying that, the brothers lay down facing each other with me in the middle. It was already past their usual bedtime, and they soon fell asleep.
May gentle dreams visit you. May this last night not be filled with sadness.
The sound of footsteps woke me. Morning had come.
The two were still sleeping peacefully, and while I hesitated over whether to wake them, Wio entered.
“Wake up,” Wio said firmly, but they didn’t stir. Quite the heavy sleepers.
When I licked their cheeks, the little brother groaned and sat up, annoyed.
“Stop that.”
‘Yip.’
“It’s morning. Wake up.”
“Huh? Wha—why? Fox, you betrayed us!”
“He’s my familiar. Of course I can find him.”
…Wio, children don’t understand logical arguments like that.
The Fire Child, stirred awake by the voices, clung to me, his usual boldness replaced by quiet unease.
“Ruca won’t go to the church.”
“And how will the two of you survive? How will you even get breakfast?”
“We’ll… figure something out.”
“I admire your courage to protect your brother. But don’t attempt the impossible. If you want to protect him, then grow stronger.”
The little brother lowered his head, and Wio gently patted it before turning to the Fire Child.
“When I was a child, I often froze those around me. But ice wasn’t so dangerous, so I was allowed to grow up in this mansion. Fire, however, can truly harm people. To avoid hurting those you love, you must learn how to control it at the church.”
The Fire Child probably didn’t fully understand, but he gave a small nod. He must already know he can’t stay here anymore, even if he followed his little brother’s lead. That sad maturity of his made my chest ache.
Wio stroked the Fire Child’s head, then guided both children outside.
The little brother took the Fire Child’s hand, and together they stepped out of the shed, where the older brother and his wife were waiting.
“I’m sorry,” the little brother whispered, and the Fire Child squeezed his hand tightly. The two were immediately enveloped in a warm embrace.
“Come now, let’s get you bathed and fed,” the sister-in-law said with a tearful smile as she led them back inside. Wio and I quietly watched them go.
‘Wio, are you all right?’
“Yes. I realize now—I was protected by my family all along.”
‘If you tell them that, it will make them happy.’
“…Yes.”
Wio isn’t one for many words. He’s probably never said anything like that to them before.
Once the children were ready, everyone ate breakfast together.
The older sister pouted about not being invited to the “night adventure,” but fussed over the Fire Child anyway.
With the preparations that had been underway all night finally completed, they were set to depart before noon.
In front of the mansion, the Fire Child and Wio stood before the heavily loaded carriage. Everyone gathered to see them off.
Even the older sister, who had argued until the last moment—Can’t we delay it? Just one more day?—remained silent now, watching with clenched fists.
“Wioras, please… take care of Ruca. Take care of my son.”
The older brother bowed his head deeply, but Wio approached, placed a hand on his shoulder, and urged him to lift his head.
“Brother, I still remember how you shielded me when I was a child. Your love—and Sister-in-law’s as well—will surely be Ruca’s strength, just as it was for me.”
At those words, the older brother blinked in surprise, then gave a teary smile and murmured, “I’m glad to hear that.”
Behind him, their parents looked overwhelmed with emotion. But I knew—all that love was reaching Wio. And surely, it would reach the Fire Child as well.
Wio took the coachman’s seat, seating the Fire Child beside him. I sat at his other side.
The marquis family had offered one of their carriages to carry them to Trébol, but Wio declined. If they didn’t want conflict with the duke’s family, it was safer to let an adventurer like Wio take him alone.
The mothers worried whether Wio could care for a child, but agreed when reassured that I would keep illness away. They gave strict orders: no camping outdoors, always stay in a town overnight.
They weren’t wrong—Wio had adventuring experience, but not childcare. At one point, they even considered a public coach, but with Wio, the Fire Child, and me, we’d draw too much attention.
The Fire Child said nothing during the farewell, only watching silently from the coachman’s seat as everyone waved until they disappeared from sight.
I could still hear their sobs behind us.
Yes. The ducal house truly is unforgivable.
